Chain tensioning device



Sept. 12, 1950 Filed Oct. 6, 1948 I N V EN TOR.

mm a WEBER Patented Sept. 12, 1950 Karl Wben'littsburgh, Pa. ApplicationOctober s, 1948, Serial No. 53,019

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a chain tensioning device, and importantobjects and advantages thereof are to provide a device of the characterdescribed, which is constructed of an integral piece of spring sheetmetal, which may be conveniently and successfuly employed for tensioninga chain, which will facilitate and expedite chain tensioning operations,which embodies novel means for securing the device in the tensioningposition and for releasing same from the tensioning position, which issimple in its construction and arrangement, durable and eflicient in itsuse, compact, and comparatively economical in its manufacture andinstallation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of parts herein specifically described andillustrated in the accompanying drawing, but it is to he understood thatchanges in the form, proportions and details of construction may beresorted to that come within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a chain tensioning deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention, and illustrating itsconnection in a chain and being in the securing tensioning position.

Figure 2 is a similar view with the tensioning device being disposed inthe releasing position.

Figure 3 is an edgewise view of the device secured in the tensioningposition in a chain.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the improved chain tensioning deviceis constructed of an integral piece of spring steel sheet material ofsubstantial thickness.

The chain tensioning device comprises a flat,

. jacent to the inner end of the body in approxi mately longitudinalalignment with the slot 2.

A lever arm 4 is formed integral with the outer upper end of the body I,and has the free end portion thereof formed to provide a securing hook5. The lever arm inclines inwardly at an angle from the horizontal, andis laterally oilset with respect to the edgewise disposition of thebody, as indicated at 6, whereby the edgewise disposition of the body isdisposed in vertical alignment with the center of the hook 5. The hookis disposed rearwardly of the lever arm, and the free end portionthereof projects outwardly on an inclination at an angle from thehorizontal.

The tensioning device is joined with a chain 1 by connecting oneterminal link 8 of the chain in the slot 2, and by connecting the otherterminal link 9 in the aperture 3 of the body.

When the tensioning device is in the released position, the body I issuspended from the link 9 and will depend vertically from the latter,with the other engaged link 8 being in engagement in the outer end ofthe slot 2, as shown in Figure 2.

To tension the chain, the body I is swung upwardly by means of the leverarm 4, on the pivot provided by the connection of the link 9 in theaperture 3, to the horizontal position, as shown in Figure 1, and issecured in such horizontal position by engaging the hook 5 on theadjacent link of the chain. The length of the slot 2 determines thedistance of elevation or contraction that is effected when the device isshifted from the vertically disposed releasing position to thehorizontally disposed tensioning position.

When the device is shifted from the released to the tensioning position,in the manner stated, the terminal linkt, engaged in the slot 2, willshift from the outer end of the slot to the inner end of the latter, asshown in Figure 1, whereby the tensioning pull or strain on the deviceis reduced to a minimum, as such pull is approximately in directalignment with the chain in connection with which the device isemployed. Due to the arcuate shape of the slot, the link i! engaged atthe inner end of the slot will be retained at the said inner end whilethe device is in the tensioning position.

Due to the relative disposition of the lever arm 4 and of the hook 5with respect to each other and to the body I, and owing to thecurvilinear formation of the hook and of the lever arm offset 6, .thehook may be readily engaged in the adjacent link of the chain to securethe device in the tensioned position.

While th improved tensioning device is primarily designed and intendedfor use in connection with anti-skid chains for motor vehicle wheels, itwill be obvious that the device may be used in connection with any othertypes of chains wherein it is found to be applicable.

The present invention provides a most durable and eflicient device ofits kind, which may be economically constructed and conveniently andsuccessfully employed for the purpose and in the manner herein setforth.

What I claim is:

A chain tensioning device of the class described, comprising a flathorizontally extending body, said body being provided with an upwardlycurved arcuately-shaped slot extending horizontally in said body, alever arm formed integral with one end portion of the top edge of saidbody and inclining at an angle from the horizontal above and over saidbody, and a securing hook formed at the free end of said lever arm,said.

body being provided with an aperture at the end remote from theattachment of the lever arm 4 therewith, said lever am being laterallyoffset with respect to the edgewise disposition of said body to disposethe center of said hook in vertical alignment with the edgewisedisposition of said body.

KARL B. WEBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 154,024 Darlington Aug. 11, 18741,053,054 Miller Feb. 11, 1913 1,232,554 Jannelle July 10, 19171,499,913 Demers July 1, 1924

